On October 31st, police and military personnel arrested 61 labour and human rights activists belonging to Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Kadamay, and the National Federation of Sugar Workers in a series of co-ordinated operations across the Philippines. While they have all been released, many have been put under heavy bail conditions, including raising substantial amount of money.

Even more worrying, many of these activists have been 'Red Tagged' by the military as communists. Under President Duterte's murderous 'War on Drugs' campaign over the last three years, more than 25,000 working class people have been killed in extra judicial killings. The result of this reign of terror is that there are numerous militias and death squads organised throughout the Philippines that are acting with impunity. Many labour activists have been shot and killed after being publicly 'Red Tagged'.

APC interviewed May Kotsakis, co Chairperson of PASA (Philippine Australia Solidarity Association) and the finance Officer of ILPS (International League of People's Struggle), on the significance of these latest arrests in the Philippines.

Asia Pacific Currents provides updates of labour struggles and campaigns from the Asia Pacific region. It is produced by Australia Asia Worker Links, in the studio of 3CR Radio in Melbourne, Australia